Title
Application of porous foams for size-selective measurements of airborne wheat allergen
Author
Bogdanovic, J.
de Pater, A.J.
Doekes, G.
Wouters, I.M.
Heederik, D.J.J.
TNO Kwaliteit van Leven
Publication year
2006
Abstract
Background: Exposure to airborne wheat allergen is a well-known cause of bakers' allergy and asthma. Airborne wheat allergen can be measured by enzyme immunoassays (EIAs) in extracts of inhalable dust samples, but only limited knowledge is available on the size distribution of wheat allergen-carrying particles. Recently, a new sampling medium, porous polyurethane foam, has been introduced for the size-selective sampling of airborne dust in various occupational settings. We investigated the applicability of these foams for size-selective wheat allergen measurements. Methods: Personal and stationary measurements were performed in a flour mill, using respirable and thoracic foams inserted into the conventional IOM inhalable sampler, together with PTFE (Teflon) filters. Foams and filters were eluted and wheat allergen levels determined by human IgG4 inhibition EIA. Results: Wheat allergen levels could be determined in both filter and foam eluates. Inhalable dust levels from filters and foams ranged from 1.4 to 53 mg m-3, and wheat allergen levels from 15 to 580 μg m-3. The allergen was mainly borne on particles with Dae (particle aerodynamic diameter) > 10 μm and particles with 4 μm > Dae ≤ 10 μm, accounting for 54.5-77.5% and 18.9-43.2% of the total allergen yield, respectively. Less than 4% of airborne wheat allergen was carried by particles smaller than 4 μm (respirable fraction). Conclusions: Measurement of wheat allergen in dust fractions trapped in respirable and thoracic foams is technically feasible. Both wheat flour dust and wheat allergen are mainly concentrated in larger particle-size fractions (extrathoracic and tracheobronchial). © 2005 British Occupational Hygiene Society Published by Oxford University Press.
Subject
Health
Food and Chemical Risk Analysis
Airborne wheat allergen
Bakers' asthma
Respirable foams
Size-selective measurements
Thoracic foams
Bioassay
Foams
Immunology
Polytetrafluoroethylenes
Polyurethanes
Pulmonary diseases
Airborne wheat allergen
Bakers' asthma
Respirable foams
Size-selective measurements
Thoracic foams
Allergies
Allergen
Immunoglobulin G4
Airborne particle
Enzyme immunoassay
Filter
Flour
Foam
Measurement
Occupational exposure
Porosity
Wheat
Wheat allergy
Air Pollutants, Occupational
Allergens
Asthma
Dust
Environmental Monitoring
Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
Feasibility Studies
Food-Processing Industry
Humans
Immunoglobulin G
Particle Size
Triticum
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DOI
https://doi.org/10.1093/annhyg/mei050
TNO identifier
239162
ISSN
0003-4878
Source
Annals of Occupational Hygiene, 50 (2), 131-136
Document type
article